Key Principles for Ending Youth Homelessness Agreed

A group of key figures in Wales has signed up to End Youth Homelessness Cymru’s Key Principles. First Minister Carwyn Jones, Future Generations Commissioner, Sophie Howe, Children's Commissioner, Sally Holland, Leader of the Welsh Local Government Association, Debbie Wilcox and Llamau Chief Executive, Frances Beecher have all pledged their commitment to a set of key principles which will enable the ending of youth homelessness in Wales over the next decade.

The document outlines the commitment of everyone involved in the campaign to focus on solutions which are user-led and to put primary prevention at the heart of the campaign. It also ensures that everyone who is in a position to contribute to the campaign will work together to overcome challenges and will commit to the necessary cultural and systemic changes.

All members of the End Youth Homelessness Cymru steering group will also be asked to sign up to the Key Principles to show their commitment to the bold ambition of ending youth homelessness in Wales.

The End Youth Homelessness campaign was launched in June 2017 with the support of the First Minister and Hollywood actor and activist, Michael Sheen. At the event to launch the campaign the First Minister said, “Youth and homelessness are two words that simply should not be heard together. This is a term that we as a Government in Wales want to eradicate for good.”

Since June the End Youth Homelessness Cymru coalition has commissioned a number of pieces of research to inform the development of evidence-based solutions, including research into the true extent of youth homelessness in Wales.

Frances Beecher, Chief Executive of Llamau said, “I’m really pleased to see the commitment of so many organisations, including Welsh Government, Welsh Local Government Association and the Future Generations and Children's Commissioners to ending youth homelessness in Wales. This level of commitment and cooperation is absolutely crucial if we are to ensure that no young person in Wales ever has to experience homelessness.